Tour details

Fantastic Israel 8D/7N

About

This comprehensive 8-day tour to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories explores the Mediterranean coast, Nazareth and the Golan Heights as well as the Dead Sea, Masada and Old Jerusalem and offers a great and balanced introduction to the regions's religious and historical sites together with its natural beauty, scenic and cultural attractions.

Starting in Tel Aviv we head north along the coast visiting the roman excavations at Caesarea, a Druze Village and the beautiful gardens at Haifa. Heading inland we climb up to the Golan Heights to enjoy a wine tasting session at one of Israel's most well known wineries. Next we visit the holy sites around the Sea of Galilee and the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth. We drive south back to Jerusalem for a tour of the old and new city and if possible, enter the Occupied Palestinian Territories to visit Bethlehem. We finish off with a trip to the hilltop town of Masada and take a dip in the Dead Sea.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Tel Aviv, arrival transfer

After arrival at Ben Gurion airport, you will be met by our transfer representative and transferred to your hotel in Tel Aviv.

Drive along the coastal plain to Caesarea, capital of Judea under the Romans. See the excavations of the Crusader city and the Roman port, aqueduct and the amphitheater that has been restored to its former glory as a concert venue. Proceed to Megiddo, identified as the site of Armageddon; visit the archaeological excavations including the well preserved water supply system. Continue to Daliat El Carmel, a Druze village and enjoy a late lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed via Mount Carmel to Haifa for a panoramic view of the Haifa bay and the Golden domed Bahai Shrine and gardens.

OVERNIGHT:
Galilee Kibbutz

MEALS:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Safed to Golen Heights winery

Drive to Safed, the center of Jewish mysticism, where you will visit the ancient synagogues and the artists' colony. Continue to the Golan Heights to see the former Syrian bunkers, Kuneitra and the new Israeli town of Katzrin. Stop at the Golan winery for a tour and wine tasting. Proceed to "Kessem Hagolan", a multimedia presentation of the area and its history.

OVERNIGHT:
Galilee Kibbutz

MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Sea of Galilee to Nazareth

Start the day with a visit to Nazareth and visit the church of Annunciation; Continue to Tiberias; Visit Capernaum to see the ruins of the synagogue and octagonal church of St. Peter; Visit Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Drive via Beit Shean to Beit Alpha to see the remains of the mosaic floor of an ancient synagogue depicting the zodiac.

OVERNIGHT:
Jerusalem hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast

Day 5: Jerusalem, the Old City

Start the day with a magnificent panoramic view from Mount of Olives. Drive to the Old City. Visit the Tomb of King David and the room of The Last Supper on Mount Zion. Enter the walled city and walk through the newly restored Jewish quarter. Visit the Roman Cardo, the Herodian quarter and continue to the Western Wall. Walk along the Via Dolorosa to the church of the Holy Sepulchre. If time and border restrictions permit, we will also enter the Occupied Palestinian Territories to visit Bethlehem to view Rachel's tomb and proceed to visit the Church of Nativity and Manger's Square.

OVERNIGHT:
Jerusalem hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast

Day 6: Jerusalem, the New City

Drive to the Israel museum. Visit the Shrine of the book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed and the miniature model of Jerusalem as it was during the second temple period. Proceed for a tour at the Knesset, Israel's parliament. Continue to visit Mount Herzl cemetery and Yad Vashem, the memorial to the Holocaust. Visit Mea Shearim, the ultra-orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem and learn about their unique lifestyle. In the evening enjoy a Middle Eastern dinner followed by the spectacular "sound& light" show at the Tower of David museum, weather conditions permitting.

OVERNIGHT:
Jerusalem hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Qumran to Masada to Dead Sea

Drive through the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, almost 1300 feet (400 meters) below sea level. Stop at Qumran to visit the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada. Ascend by cable car and tour the ancient fortress where the Zealots made their last stand against the Romans before committing mass suicide in 73 AD. Descend by cable car. Continue to the Dead Sea. Cover yourself with the mineral rich mud and experience a swim in the Dead Sea, subject to the weather, that many believe has its therapeutic effects.

OVERNIGHT:
Jerusalem hotel

MEALS:
Breakfast

Day 8: Jerasalem, departure transfer

Today is free for you to do some last minute shopping or sightseeing before we transfer you back to the airport for your flight home.

OVERNIGHT:
N/A

MEALS:
Breakfast

EXTRAS:
A Taste of Israel day tour, Extra day in Jerusalem - post-tour